The Rains Came—and show season begins

The cloudbursts these last few days have left the yard soaked and made it hard to make it from the house to my studio. At one point yesterday, the rains fell so heavily that it couldn’t drain fast enough and the back patio had an inch of water on it. But… we do need the rain. We’re still in drought mode.

Next week I’ll be attending the Contemporary Craft Market at Fort Mason in San Francisco. I am a member of the Baulines Craft Guild, and the promoter, RoyHelms, has graciously donated space again this year for the organization. We each get to exhibit one piece, and I’ll be there to help set up and tear down. I’ll also be in the booth to answer questions Sunday afternoon. Oh yes, the dates and time: March 14 and 15, 10am to 5pm.

The following week I’ll be heading to Arizona for the Scottsdale Arts Festival. This show often ranks as one of the top shows in the country, and I think this is my fifth year there. It’s a fun show and very well attended. It runs March 20-22. It’s open 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, back at the Studio…

After finally finishing “The Burgermeister”, my new Pennsylvania German Scheitholt, I scheduled a photo shoot with Paul Schraub Photography, my long-standing and excellent  photographer. I took around 7 new pieces to get photographed, and they’ll soon be up on my web site. For now, here’s a couple of thumbnails of my newer pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onward through the fog…

"Der Burgermeister" is Finished!

Barely six weeks ago I started on a reproduction of the Pennsylvania German Scheitholt I restored last year. It's been in the planning stages for a lot longer, ever since the instrument arrived for repair in Spring of last year. When it came, I immediately started researching its history, taking measurements, and drawing up technical illustratons, thinking I might replicate it one day.

That day came shortly after the first of the year. I got into a carving mood, starting on a couple of heads for future dulcimers. I was cleaning and rearranging my shop a little and came across my technical drawing of the Pennsylvania Scheitholt. I got to thinking about it more then decided to start carving a head for it too. I got very occupied with the carving, and with getting all the pieces together for later assembly.

Yesterday, it all came together, with the final polishing, stringing, and playing... and naming. I call it "Der Burgermeister." And, no, it's not named after a beer. A Burgermeister is considered a German town leader, like a mayor.

My new Pennsylvania German Scheitholt is all black walnut  except for a small maple strip for the nut and a bone saddle for a bridge. It's a 30" long by 3" wide by 3" deep box. To me the tone is wonderful. It has that sweet Mountain dulcimer sound but with the added feature of 1/4" wide melody strings that allow chording in the concert zither and epinette des Vosges style.

Sound clips and professional photos will be coming soon.

Onward through the fog.